Bridgeton pioneer., 1887-04-14
MIHNIGIIT FIRE.
Barn and Horse Of Chris. Bitzer
Burned.
$1.B0 Per Year.

barn ana Horse or Chr1S. BlGZ6r
Burned.
1t was about fifteen minutes of one
o'clock Sunday morning when Archie
Cuff, the barber. who lives on Lemon
street looked out Of bis rear bedroom
window end saw bright blaze. In a
moment he had dressed himself, and,
rushing out of the house, saw it was
the barn of Christopher Bitter, the
South Pearl street butcher. He gave
the alarm and Immediately rushed to
the door of the barn and burst it open.
The whole OF the north side of the
building was then in blaze. He ran
to the stall and and cut the halter of the
faithful black horse, SO long owned by
Mr.. Bitter; but he was toe late. Over
come with the heat and smoke. the
animal fell to the floor, and was soon
a horrible, burning mass of flesh.
By this time others had appeared on
the scene, and the first general alarm
was given by the whistle of one of our
glassworks. Officer Parvin then ran
to the Engine House and sounded the
alarm About fifteen minutes later
the engine and hose were upon the
scene, and stream ef water was
thrown upon the FIRE.
The barn was situated in the ex-
treme rear Of Mr.. Bitzer's yard, and
closely adjoining it on the East was
the little house of Richard Wilmer.
On the south was the wood-house of
Capt, jeff Ray, connecting with the
residence on Lemon street. Next to
Capt. Rays was the unoccupied house
of Mrs. Burger, who carries on the
bakery business on Laurel street.
The fire department did all in its
power to save these premises, and sue
ceeded admirably The woodshed of
Capt. Ray was burned considerably
IN fact beyond all repair. The house,
too, which was vacant, the family be-
ing away, was badly scorched, but the
water prevented it from burning. The
house of Mrs. Burger was in much
danger, but the fencing, etc., was torn
down, and the building was uninjured.
The little two-story house of Richard
Wilmer Jared much worse, however.
The fire spread rapidly to it, and in a
few moments had gained quite foot
hold on the sides and roof. The goods
were moved out, and a fireman's ak
soon made hole in the roof sufficiently
large to admit the water from the
hose. In a few moments the fire was
put out. The water thrown on the
barn was of no avail, for it soon fell to
the ground and burned itself out.
Much difficulty was experienced on
account of the dense crowd in Elizabeth
street, and it was found necessary for
the police to stretch rope across the
road. The crowd objected to such an
extent that the water was turned on
them, and they hurriedly retreated.
All around the neighborhood could
be seen men and boys upon the roofs
of their houses, watching the thou
sands of sparks as they settled upon
the shingles. Had there been any
wind the whole square might have
been in ashes this morning, as the
buildings thsteabouts are little more
than tinder boxes. Fortunately it was
a calm night, and the supply of water
being good, the loss of property is
nothing compared with what it would
otherwise have been.
The origin of the fire is positively
unknown. There had been no fire in
the furnace, used in trying lard, which
was in the south end of the barn. since
Friday. No one who was smoking had
been there, and the way in which it
started leads to the conjecture that it
was of incendiary origin. In CONVEX
sation with Mr. Bitter yesterday after
the fire, he told a PIONEER reporter
that there was no doubt of it's having
been set on fire, as there had been no
fire there for at least thirty hours. He
had no idea as to who could have set
it, as he did not know of an enemy
anywhere.
The barn was insured but the horse
was not When told that the horse
was burned, Mr.. Bitter cried, so great
was his affection for the animal. The
fire company, with the exception of
two members, was present, SO re-
porter was informed by Chief Elwell,
Four houses were on fire at one time
during the conflagration, and the fire
men had hard struggle of it. We
have need, however, to be thankful
that it is no worse than it is. The loss
will probably amount to 5000.